Norcross: Gwynn raves about Fowler Park men's room

So San Diego State plays the rude, forgot-to-bring-a-present guest at the Fowler Park house-warming party last weekend.

Good for Tony Gwynn on the Aztecs’ three-game sweep, but something says that gem of a ballpark will reap many rewards for USD. Such as:

Fowler Park serves as the two-day practice site next August for the Perfect Game All-American Classic, an all-star game at Petco Park featuring the top high school juniors in the nation.

Not exactly going out on a Mila Kunis-thin limb theorizing that USD coach Rich Hill makes sure the high school players are given a tour of the Toreros’ plush clubhouse.

Said Hill: “The Perfect Game All-Star Classic is perfect for our program. It exposes the best players in the country to the best college baseball facility in the country.”

No. 19 on Fowler Park

“Loved it. Loved it,” Gwynn said of the Toreros’ new home. “Because every seat’s a great seat. Because it’s in San Diego and Rich Hill’s done a great job over there and they deserve something that nice.

“The third reason, and probably the most important, is there’s a bathroom on the first level, in the dugout. Before, you had to go behind home plate, behind the clubhouse, past the stairs and in the left-field corner.

“People would be standing there, eating their hot dogs, say, ‘Hi Tony.’ And I’m going to the bathroom in the sixth inning. I saw that (new) bathroom and said, ‘Thank you, thank you, thank you.’”

Tony, take II

Gwynn on sweeping the Toreros: “It was awesome. You’re playing your cross-town rival. Again, you’re happy for ’em, you’re happy for what the new ballpark represents, but business is business.”

This/that

Gonzaga embarrassed Santa Clara on Wednesday night, 85-42. USD visits the No. 3 Zags on Saturday. Not saying the Toreros will pull a shocker and upset Gonzaga but USD will not lose by 43.

In fact, TJI will pay anyone who thinks the Zags will pummel USD by 43 or more $1 (in Monopoly money) …

Reader Alex Kaseberg of La Mesa writes: “The weather here in San Diego is chilling, dark and scary, like Oscar Pistorius’ alibi.”: … TJI believes the best things in life are simple: A sunrise, sunset, holding a child's hand, long walks, good book and/or movie on a rainy day ... Don’t forget the bean burrito …

Only 62 days until the NFL Draft. Or as some sickos call it, Christmas … Meanwhile, the San Diego PEDs, make that Padres, open on April Fools’ Day, on the road, against the Metropolitans … Home opener, April 9 vs. Dodger$.

Jamaal Franklin drives on Josh Adams of Wyoming in the second half. — Sean M. Haffey

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Jamaal Franklin drives on Josh Adams of Wyoming in the second half.
— Sean M. Haffey

This Just In guesses Steve Fisher’s team end the season with 25 wins: W vs. Air Force at home; split on the road vs. New Mexico and Boise State (crystal ball’s fuzzy on which is a win); two wins in conference tournament; one NCAA tournament win, then exit …

Why opponents love to hate Jamaal Franklin: 1) His theatrical reaction to perceived fouls; 2) the scowl, predominantly flashed at refs; 3) the fact he’s a helluva college basketball player with no fear of failure in his bones …